Conditions Large swaths of the province saw rain early this week, which put a pause on a very productive planting window over the previous week and a bit. The forecast predicts slower progress due to more regular precipitation, which will provide some stress relief on fields that were starting to turn alarmingly dry. Northwestern Ontario […]
This is the right time of year to see adult alfalfa snout beetle (ASB) emerging and leaving the alfalfa/hay fields that they overwintered in and spent the last two years in. They can also be found feeding on clovers, dandelions, dogwood, wild carrot and strawberries. Alfalfa snout beetle adults can’t fly. So they are easy […]
Many Ontario canola producers tank mix boron with a preventative white mould fungicide and apply it at 20-50% bloom. We took a closer look at whether foliar boron reduces flower abortion or improves yield. […]
Unseasonably warm and dry conditions across the region this past week have resulted in ideal growing and planting conditions. Forages and winter cereals are progressing quickly and planting is well underway. A light frost across much of the region Sunday night was not cold enough to damage cereals or forages and there were no reported […]
Synopsis: A forecast of prolonged dry and warmer conditions have allowed spring planting to begin in earnest as soil conditions become fit. Soil conditions look dry on the surface, but some worked fields are coming up clumpy. Heavier soils have a 2-inch surface crust but still quite wet below the crust. Challenging conditions are a […]
Flowering has begun in many winter canola fields. Two key pests in winter canola at this growth stage are cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) and white mould (a.k.a. Sclerotinia stem rot). These are also both pests of spring canola, and the management recommendations are the same for both types of canola. Cabbage Seedpod Weevil When to […]
Nitrogen fertilizer is one the most expensive inputs required for growing a corn crop, especially this year. And with conditions having turned dry in recent days, many growers are wondering about the risk of losses following N fertilizer application. Nitrogen stabilizers are products that help to slow the conversion of nitrogen to forms that are […]
Winter Wheat Winter wheat is at Zadok’s growth stage 31 in many areas, especially if planted before mid-October. Early planted wheat has reached GS 32 in some regions and GS 33 in the deep southwest. Nitrogen applications are largely completed, even on heavier-textured soils in Niagara and Lambton County. The focus has turned to herbicide […]
Simple Summary Ontario data suggests planting date from late April to mid-May has minimal impact on corn yields After mid-May, yield declines can start and are quickest in shorter season areas Balance any risks of pushing planting dates (e.g. unfavourable weather events or unfit soil) to the yield losses expected for delaying planting within the […]
Wednesday May 5th was the first virtual Northern Breakfast Meeting of the season. There will be 3 more meetings, according to the schedule below. After short updates from the OMAFRA specialists listed, the group will discuss any current cropping questions and give updates on cropping conditions and progress across the northern regions. Contact meghan.moran@ontario.ca to […]
Winter Wheat Quite a bit of nitrogen was applied to winter wheat fields leading up to Sunday’s rain across both regions. Estimates are that 60-70% of total nitrogen (N) has been applied in the Chatham area, with 30-40% of N applied in Essex. In the Niagara/Haldimand area, 50% or more of the nitrogen has been […]
Nitrogen applications in winter wheat are progressing throughout the province as breaks in the spring rain provide opportunities to get out in the field. Tillage and other field preparations have begun. Cereals Winter wheat fields in general continue to look good across the province with many counties reporting early planted wheat at GS30 and some […]
Fall 2021/Winter 2022 Fall of 2021 was warm and open. Many regions of the province saw heavier fall growth in hay fields and pastures than normal because of the late killing frost. While this does not pose any issues for alfalfa, excessive top growth can cause smothering in grass/clover stands. Average to above-average precipitation between […]
Winter Cereals Untimely rainfalls have been putting a damper on field work across the province. The last few days have seen growers and agronomists walking fields and evaluating winterkill in both forages and winter cereals. While there are some losses in the region, particularly in low lying areas of heavier soils, the consensus is that […]
Farming is a stressful occupation at any time. However, recent world events have created significant pressures on farming operations and those who support them. While mental health has come a long way in recognition and over coming stigma, many still try to “go it alone”! While most of us are not trained in mental health, […]